DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #59

Nanopolis, Conclusion

late June 2009

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and Mike Johnson

Pencils by Whilce Portacio

Inks by Richard Friend

Covers by Whilce Portacio and Richard Friend

Synopsis

The Prankster has shrunk Superman down to microscopic size.  Batman gets shrunken, as well, to rescue his friend.  In the nanoverse, Superman encounters the Nanobots, who want to expand and reach the real world, and Batman encounters the Nanomads, who want their city back after the Nanobots took it from them.  Now, the Nanobots have increased Superman’s power, hoping to generate enough power to create a blast to send them to the real world.  With the help of the Nanomads, Batman is able to siphon off the excess power and save Superman.  Then, the World’s Finest work together to defeat the Nanobots and restore the city back to the Nanomads.  Batman then sends a signal to Robin and John Henry Irons (aka Steel), who are working hard to save the,.  When they get the signal, Batman and Superman are returned to the real world.  In the nanoverse, the descendants of the Nanobots and Nanomads erect a stature of the two heroes that save them to create a peaceful world.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“A savior on a wire swoops in to save me.  So this is what it feels like.”

An interesting observation.  Too bad the rest of the issue can’t reach the same level.  This is not a bad comic book, but the plot and story have a by-the-numbers feel to it.  There is not much life to it as all of the plot points and story beats are hit at the right time.  It shows a certain level of craftsmanship and talent, but it also lacks the energy and creativity that gives it the pop and zing.  The story is just there.  I enjoyed it while reading, but mostly forgot within the space of a few minutes.  

Part of the problem is the artwork; I am not a big fan of Whilce Portacio and there is nothing here that will change my mind.  Portacio’s art is blocky and at time misshapen and while it works to a large degree to create a unique visual for the nanoverse, it doesn’t work for the main characters.  To me, at least, Batman and Superman don’t look all that good. 

I love how just when Superman and Batman resolve their fight and agree they need to join forces to stop the Nanobots, out of nowhere, bam!, the fight is dropped right into their laps.  I wish solutions to some of the my problems just appeared like that. 

What was the deal with the Prankster suddenly spouting out code?  That absolutely made no sense within the context of the story and even made less sense when nothing was done with it.  It happens and then is forgotten, a plot point introduced for no particular reason.  IN fact, now that I think about, how the hell did the Prankster actually create the nanotechnology.  He was never that smart, was he?  Is he supposed to be as smart as Steel or Lex Luthor? 

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